Candel Astra facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Cande |
|---|---|
| Type | Taffy |
| Place of origin | Uruguay |
| Region or state | Montevideo, Montevideo Department |
| Created by | Pedro Steinbruch |
| Invented | 1940. |
| Main ingredients | Glucose, vegetable oil, strawberry and raspberry artificial flavorings, food coloring |
Candel, sometimes called cande, is a unique type of candy from Uruguay. It's sold under the brand name Astra. This candy is a kind of hard taffy and is easy to spot because of its bright pink color.
What makes Candel special is how it reacts to moisture. When it's dry, it's hard and crunchy. But if it gets moist, it quickly becomes soft and chewy! This fun candy was first made in 1940 by a man named Pedro Steinbruch.
Contents
The Sweet Story of Candel
How Candel Began
Pedro Steinbruch was a candy maker who came to Uruguay from Poland in 1930. He and his wife were looking for a new home away from the war. After working in different jobs, Pedro started making his own candies. He used an old recipe he knew. He would mix all the ingredients in a big pan over a small stove. This is how he created the first Candels!
Growing the Business
At first, Candels were sold in schools, small shops, and kiosks in Montevideo. They quickly became a local favorite. About ten years later, another person from Poland joined the story. His name was Jaime Grill, and he was 22 years old. Jaime married Pedro Steinbruch's daughter.
Jaime Grill helped turn the small family candy business into a bigger company. In 1940, he created the "Astra" brand. He also made the candy-making process more modern by using machines. This helped Candel Astra become a very popular candy all over Uruguay.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the sales of Candel Astra went up and down. In 2002, Uruguay faced some tough economic times. Because of this, the company that made Astra candy had to be sold. Another company called La Ronda bought Astra. They continued to make the popular Candel candy under the same Astra brand name.
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